anyone use Turbo Tax

ms71069

ms71069

Cathlete
I am trying to convince my husband to let me try Turbo Tax to do our return. We've had the same person do our return for the past few years and it seems to me that she's using a set program and just inputting all the information that I give her...she's not really doing any real "thinking" to get it done.

He feels that if someone else prepares it, and if we ever get audited, then at least we have someone to help us out. But I feel if we do everything on the straight and narrow anyway, what do we have to worry about.

any input is greatly appreciated. I just found out our tax person upped her fees and it would cost us at least $325 this year. Turbo Tax is looking very good at the moment!
 
IMHO, you can't beat Turbo Tax! I have used TT for the past 5 years! I get a small discount through my credit union but not much of one (www.stcu.org) and you don't have to be a member to use it, just click on the TT link from their home page... I have a rental property as well, so I use the Premier I think it's called and it cost about $45 and they efile it for you for free... you can go through all the data and not file, so if you want to give it a try, I say go for it... It asks you questions step by step, or you can enter your own data... for your first time through I would highly recommend you do the step by step. You can always "continue" through stuff that does not apply to your situation.

You only have to pay for it if you have them efile or want to print the return. Otherwise, you can enter all the data, (it will probably take a few hours depending on how much information you have) and see what you think. Again, it's free until you want to actually file/print. It won't actually show you the final details until you pay, so you can't use it, print your own forms and fill it in, but it shows you the amount of your refund each step of the way so don't bank on things until you are completely done and it has checked everything for you... If you don't feel comfortable with the result, you can always take them to your tax person...

Again, TT walks you through each step, very user friendly, saves your data as you go (so you never lose what you just input if you get interrupted or kicked out) and you can go back and use it year after year... If you use it this year, it will hold onto your info and all you have to do next year is update for the current year, make any changes to your status and information and go! It does mistake checking at the end and points out errors or obvious data that was left out accidentally.


Also, they can provide audit support, although I have never signed up for it... I do know they charge a fee for this, but I don't know how much it is... something to look into though if your DH is concerned about that.

Overall, I think for the money spent TT is a good deal. If you use the online version, there is never any updates to buy either...

hope that helps a little :)

ETA: I got my refund in about 10 days with the online filing also with direct deposit... if that makes a difference!
 
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Thanks, Dani!

I just did another "pitch" to him tonight and said that if I did all the inputting and didn't feel comfortable, I don't have to hit the send button. Our information is basically the same year to year, so if I really needed help I could just go to a previous year's return. I have to file a Schedule C, but I don't think that's a big deal, either.

I think I'm going to give it a whirl and see how it goes. The appointment with my accountant isn't until April 8, so I still have a ton of time to play around with TT!
 
Yes

This will be my 5th year using TT and I love it. It is super user-friendly, walks you through everything. Just out of curiosity I went into HR Block two weeks ago to see what it would cost for them to do it. Unfortunately for them, I ended up with the most um...uneducated, non-tech person in the room who could not even use their computer to see what the cost would be. I asked very basic questions that she could not answer. She was terrible. I walked out of there and bought TT for the 5th time. The great thing is this year the federal e-file is free and state is less than $20 to efile. Can't beat the simplicity or quickness of TT.
 
I have used Tax Cut (basically the same thing) for several years now and it is SO EASY to use. It walks you through EVERYTHING. And if you use it now, and then get the software again next year, it will import all of this year's data into next year's and then you just have to make the small changes (w-2 amounts, etc). I highly recommend it.
 
I've used Turbo Tax, and Tax Act. They are all pretty similar.

I would suggest, if your hubby has such strong feelings about getting them done pofessionally, go ahead and do that, but then do them yourself using Turbo Tax as well, (without actually filing them of course). If you come up with the same bottom line/or close to what the professional comes up with, then you know, you basically can do them yourself from now on. That's what I did with my son. I always do his using TaxAct, and some of his friends claim to get soo much more. I had him take them to a tax place this year, where they will check them over, if they can get you more money, then they charge you, but if they can't, it's free. Turns out his were correct the way I've been doing them. His are simple, but the software walks you through every step. It covers life changing events, etc. You could save yourself the money you're paying to have them done professionally. If not this year, at least for next year :)
 
If you have a relatively simple return (which most people do) Turbo Tax works just fine (or Tax Cut as well). I think TT has improved this year. I don't need the "walk through" and can just go where I need to go without answering all the crazy questions and this year it's easier to do just that. It will also take you step by step if that's what you want. And there are plenty of deals out there on the software that will cost a lot less than $325 (which really is a reasonable prep price for those who just can't bear to do their own return but not so much if you're willing to do it yourself)

Oh, and in the extremely extremely unlikely case that you would be audited, having a professional there only does so much good. It's not like they are ultimately responsible for any taxes or penalties due.
 
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I've used H&R Block's Tax Cut the last two years.
It's very easy to do, automatically figures in deductions from a list of donations I keep in their "deduction pro" program .
I think there's also audit insurance included? (H&R Block stands behind you if you get audited).
 
We use Turbo Tax and have for the past several years. I couldn't see paying an accountant to do it as it costs much less using Turbo Tax. The first time we tried it we actually went back a year just to see what we would get and our figure was the same as the accountant so then we felt comfortable doing it ourselves.

Rhonda
 
LOVE turbo tax. Especially if your return is straight forward. It is so easy. The money you save, . . . trust me it really is one of those so easy a cave man can do it things.
 
I love turbo tax. I've used it for years to do mine, and then my parents'. So quick and easy. I've recommended Turbo Tax to several friends and family, and all who've tried it are happily sticking with it.
 
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